The ongoing violence in Manipur has brought untold suffering, fractured social relationships and deepened mistrust among communities. Yet, amid this prolonged crisis, an unexpected development appears to be emerging: a renewed sense of unity among the indigenous communities of the State. What years of political differences and competing interests could not achieve seems to have been brought about by the painful experience of continued violence that erupted since May 3 2023.
The mass rally held in Imphal today, October 31, may well be remembered as a historic moment in the contemporary history of Manipur. Since the 1980s, perhaps no other occasion has witnessed such a broad convergence of civil society organisations representing different indigenous communities of the State standing together for a common cause. The significance of today’s rally lies not merely in the thousands who participated, but in the collective voice it represented.
For a State that has witnessed growing divisions, mutual suspicion and competing political narratives, this coming together is a development that deserves serious reflection. The people appear to have realised a fundamental truth: when indigenous communities remain divided, those seeking to exploit the divisions stand to gain. When people stand together, however, their collective voice becomes difficult to ignore.
The ongoing crisis, therefore, presents a grim paradox. While violence has inflicted immense damage on Manipur, it has also exposed the dangers of allowing divisions to overshadow shared concerns. Today’s rally demonstrates that differences among communities need not prevent them from standing together on issues concerning the security, integrity and future of the State.
More importantly, the convergence of civil society organisations suggests that there is no fundamental disagreement among the participating indigenous communities over the central demands raised at the rally. Ending the violence, addressing the threat posed by armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement and ensuring the security of the people are concerns that transcend community boundaries.
This should serve as a clear message to both the State and Central governments. The authorities cannot continue to treat the crisis merely as a law-and-order problem or respond through political statements that offer little assurance to the people. The government must revisit its approach, demonstrate political will and act decisively on the demands being raised by the people.
The demand for abrogation of the SoO agreement is not a new political slogan. Repeated allegations of violations of its ground rules, the continued presence of armed cadres in designated camps and questions over the effectiveness of the monitoring mechanism have seriously undermined public confidence in the arrangement. If the agreement has failed to achieve its stated objective of maintaining peace, the government must explain why it should continue. The authorities must also make public what concrete measures have been taken to enforce the ground rules and hold violators accountable.
There can be no meaningful peace while armed intimidation and violence continue to threaten civilian lives. The government must ensure the protection of every citizen, irrespective of community, and demonstrate that no armed group is beyond the reach of the law. Abrogation of the SoO agreement, as demanded by the rally, must be seriously considered alongside effective security measures to prevent further violence.
At the same time, the government must abandon any temptation to divert public attention through political manoeuvres, selective narratives or promises of reconciliation unsupported by action. Reconciliation cannot be imposed through announcements while the conditions that fuel insecurity remain unaddressed. Nor can the people’s genuine concerns be dismissed as the agenda of any particular organisation or community.
Today’s massive mobilisation should also be understood as a warning against complacency. Thousands of people have come together peacefully to express their collective frustration and expectations. If their democratic expression continues to be ignored, public anger could deepen and the situation could become increasingly difficult to manage. Such a possibility must not be taken lightly, although violence can never be justified as a response.
The government still has an opportunity to turn this historic convergence into a foundation for lasting peace. It must listen to the people, act transparently and take concrete steps to end the violence and restore confidence.
Manipur does not need another round of political assurances. It needs decisive action. Today’s rally has demonstrated that the people can rise above divisions when their collective future is at stake. The government must not squander this moment. A united people have spoken. The responsibility now rests with those in power to listen and act.
